Food Resources
Food Resources
Food Sources
The sources of food are broadly classified into two groups, plants and animals and
Microbes.
1.1 Food from Plants
Plants are a source of a wide variety of nutrients required to keep the human body
in perfect working condition.
Humans consume everything from fruits, flowers, even the stem of some plants,
leaves and stem-like lettuce, celery, roots of some plants like carrots, beetroot, and
seeds like wheat, rice, etc.
All food comes from plants, even animals depend on plants. Hence, we obtain food
from plants directly or indirectly. The reason one is advised to consume fruits and
vegetables on a daily basis is that it is a source of rich nutrients.
Plants provide us with vegetables, coffee, cereals, pulses, fruits, sugar, spices, oil,
etc. Different parts of the plants provide different food materials.
Vegetables
Vegetables are obtained from the plants. Some nutrient-rich vegetables such as
beetroot, turnip, spinach, cauliflower, etc. are obtained from plants. Roots, leaves,
and stem of some plants is edible.
Roots
Radish, turnip, carrot, beetroot are some of the roots that are eaten as vegetables.
Stem
Potato and ginger are the stems that are eaten as vegetables.
Leaves
Spinach, cabbage, lettuce are the leaves eaten as vegetables.
Flowers
Broccoli and cauliflower are the flowers eaten in the form of vegetables.
Fruits
Fruits are a healthy source of food from plants. Orange, mango, apple, grapes are
some of the fruits consumed by humans.
Cereals
Cereals include rice, wheat, maize, jowar, barley, etc. These are a rich source of
nutrients provided by the plants.
Tea, Coffee
Coffee and tea are widely grown in the southern parts of India. These are also
obtained from the plants. Not just these, sugar is also obtained from the plants. It is
processed from the sugarcane plant.
OIL
Oil can be extracted from the seeds and leaves of the plants. Some of the plants
producing oil are castor, mustard, and sunflower.
Spices
Cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, clove, cumin seeds, and ginger are obtained from
the plants and used for cooking purposes.
1.2 Food from Animals
Animal products are used as food directly or indirectly. Milk, eggs and meat are
important examples of food from animals.
Animal products too are a rich source of nutrients.
Animal source foods (ASF) include many food items that come from an animal
source such as fish, meat, dairy, eggs and honey.
Many individuals consume little ASF or even none for long periods of time by either
personal choice or necessity, as ASF may not be accessible or available to these
people. ASF contain more bioavailable levels of essential minerals and vitamins and
provide concentrated sources of energy and fat, vitamin B12, riboflavin, vitamin A,
vitamin E, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin D. Vitamin A in its usable form and
vitamin B12 is present only in animal source foods.
Milk
Cows, buffaloes, sheep, goat, and camels are a great source of milk.
Milk is also called as an ideal food. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins,
carbohydrates and fats.
Eggs
Chickens, ducks, geese, and quails are raised for eggs and meat. The egg is a rich
source of protein and vitamin.The yolk of the egg is mostly made up of egg. It also
contains vitamins, phosphorus, calcium and iron.
Meat
Meat is of two types- red meat and white meat.
The meat of cow, goat, sheep and pigs has a lot of fat and is called red meat.
White meat contains less fat and is obtained from chicken and fish.
White meat is healthier and can be easily digested as compared to the red
meat.Meat is rich in proteins, vitamins, zinc, phosphorus and iron.
1.3 Food from Microbes
Microbes such as bacteria, molds and yeasts are employed for the foods production
and food ingredients such as production of wine, beer, bakery, and dairy products.
Microbes are responsible, on the one hand, for the spoilage of food and disease and,
on the other hand, they are used for the production of valuable material.
Microbial diversity is truly staggering, yet all these microbes can be grouped into
five major types: Viruses, Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, and Protists.
The major groups of microorganisms—namely bacteria, archaea, fungi (yeasts and
molds), algae, protozoa, and viruses.
Spoilage microorganisms are those that can grow in a food and cause undesirable
changes in flavor, consistency (body and texture), color, or appearance.
Microorganisms can derive energy from carbohydrates, alcohols, and amino acids.
Most microorganisms will metabolize simple sugars such as glucose. Others can
metabolize more complex carbohydrates, such as starch or cellulose, or glycogen
found in muscle foods. Some microorganisms can use fats as an energy source.
Nature uses microorganisms to carry out fermentation processes, and for thousands
of years mankind has used yeasts, moulds and bacteria to make food products such
as bread, beer, wine, vinegar, yoghurt and cheese, as well as fermented fish, meat
and vegetables. Microbes contribute to digestion, produce vitamin K, promote
development of the immune system, and detoxify harmful chemicals.
3.Functional and “Super” Foods :
3.1 Superfoods”:
Superfood is a marketing term used to describe foods rich in nutrients and other
bioactive compounds.
Foods can have high nutritional quality and may exert specific functional effects
(e.g., lower blood cholesterol levels).
Super foods are considered to be beneficial for health and well-being, whereas
functional foods are fortified or enhanced foods that may provide a health benefit
beyond the traditional nutrient they contain.
Super food is a nonmedical, marketing term that refers to natural foods supposed to
be useful for health because they are rich in a particular antioxidant or any other
nutrient. They are edibles that deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with
minimum calories.
They help pets fight disease, maintain healthy skin and shiny coat, improve healthy
digestion, maintain joints and strong bones, fight tartar and bad breath, whiten teeth,
detoxify the body system, boost immune system, promote longevity, boost energy,
and maintain good health in general.
Unlike super foods, functional foods are natural or processed foods.
They contain considerable levels of biologically active components that impart
health benefits beyond the basic essential nutrients.
The philosophy of food as medicine was supported by Hippocrates in approximately
400 B.C.. Hippocrates believed that the things eaten can help the body fend off
disease and food should be the first line of disease defence, used as a disease
preventative mechanism.
Examples of super food and functional foods are oats, garlic, green tea, red grape
juice, red wine, tomatoes, soy products, flaxseed, broccoli, cocoa, blueberries,
carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, onions, kale, cherries, and apples.
Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber, which aids to reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease by lowering blood cholesterol.
Garlic is rich in allicin and lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It also
stimulates immune function and slows the growth of cancer cells.
Green tea contains polyphenols and may help prevent cancer. Red grape juice and
red wine contain resveratrol, which aids in prevention of heart disease and cancer.
3.2 Functional Foods
Functional foods are ingredients that offer health benefits that extend beyond their
nutritional value. Some types contain supplements or other additional ingredients
designed to improve health
Some examples include foods fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or fiber.
Nutrient-rich ingredients like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains are often
considered functional foods as well.
Oats, for instance, contain a type of fiber called beta glucan, which has been shown
to reduce inflammation, enhance immune function, and improve heart health.
Similarly, fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, which are beneficial
compounds that help protect against disease.
The health effects rendered by functional foods are typically due to the bioactive
compounds they contain Different compounds can exert specific effects in the body,
but most often work together to alter one or more physiological process in the body.
whole grains contain the bran, germ and endosperm of the grain.
Whole grains contain dietary fiber, B vitamins including folate, niacin, thiamine and
riboflavin, as well as trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.
These particular nutrients are found in the outer layer of the grain or the bran that
functions as a protective shell for the germ and endosperm inside.
The germ contains phytochemicals such as polyphenols and lignans, vitamin E, and
B vitamins. The endosperm provides carbohydrates, protein and energy
That consumption of whole grains can may lower cancer, heart disease and diabetes
risk by reducing chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, preventing insulin
resistance, reducing cholesterol levels, and improving gastrointestinal health
Examples of functional foods
Functional foods are generally separated into two categories: conventional and
modified.
Conventional foods are natural, whole-food ingredients that are rich in important
nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats.
modified foods have been fortified with additional ingredients, such as
vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or fiber, to increase a food’s health benefits.
Here are some examples of conventional functional foods:
Fruits: berries, kiwi, pears, peaches, apples, oranges, bananas
Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, zucchini
Nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts
Seeds: chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds
Legumes: black beans, chickpeas, navy beans, lentils
Whole grains: oats, barley, buckwheat, brown rice, couscous
Seafood: salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, cod
Fermented foods: tempeh, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut
Herbs and spices: turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper
Beverages: coffee, green tea, black tea
Here are some examples of modified functional foods:
fortified juices
fortified dairy products, such as milk and yogurt
fortified milk alternatives, such as almond, rice, coconut, and cashew milk
fortified grains, such as bread and pasta
fortified cereal and granola
fortified eggs
6.Physiological disturbances in alcoholism, drug
abuse and smoking
6.1 Physiological disturbances in alcoholism
Alcoholism, also called alcohol dependence, is a serious condition where a person loses
control over their drinking. People with alcoholism cannot stop drinking once they start,
even if they want to. It doesn’t matter whether they drink beer, wine, or spirits — the problem
is their lack of control over alcohol.
Many people think only severe alcohol addiction is dangerous. But even mild or moderate
drinking problems can:
It helps find dangers (hazards) in food and control them to make food safe.
It looks at all kinds of hazards — biological (like bacteria), chemical (like toxins), and
physical (like metal pieces).
HACCP checks food safety at every step — from farming, buying raw materials, making,
storing, transporting, and eating.
HACCP works by preventing problems early, not just testing food at the end.
Critical Control Points (CCPs) are the important steps where we can stop or reduce
risks — for example: cooking, cooling, or metal detection.
The most important part is Hazard Analysis — checking each step in the process for
possible dangers.
HACCP helps reduce the chances of foodborne illness and keeps food safe for everyone.
The main law talks about big ideas, but the regulations give exact steps for different food
products.
In most countries, the law-makers create the main food law, and government
departments make the detailed rules.
We need clear and specific rules for things like food safety, packaging, and labels to
follow the food law properly.
If there’s a health emergency or new science, it’s faster for government departments to
update rules than waiting for a new law.
These inspections check if the place is clean and if the workers maintain personal
cleanliness.
They make sure food is made and served in a clean way.
This helps stop the spread of diseases caused by dirty or unsafe food.
It also encourages workers to follow good hygiene habits.
These inspections look at the building’s structure like lighting, plumbing, and air
flow.
They make sure the place is good and safe for preparing and serving food.
A proper setup helps stop germs from spreading.
It keeps the food environment safe and working well.
Microbial contamination in food means the presence of harmful germs like bacteria.
To check if food is dirty or unsafe, scientists look for certain germs called indicator
organisms, such as E. coli, coliforms, and Enterococcus.
Finding these germs can show that the food or water has been contaminated with feces.
Microbiology helps keep food safe during its production, processing, and storage.
Good microbes are also used to make foods like bread, cheese, yogurt, wine, and beer.
Food companies must follow strict cleanliness rules to prevent harmful germs from
growing.
Scientists use special tests to detect and count microbes in food and drinks.
These tests help check if food is still fresh and how long it can be safely stored (shelf life).
Common ways to control germs in food include heating, drying, filtering, or using
radiation.
Quality checks push companies to maintain hygiene and produce safe food for people.
3.Nutritional Physiology
3.1 Digestion
Digestion is the process by which our body breaks down the food we eat into smaller and
simpler substances. Digestion starts in the mouth and ends in the intestines. It is a
mechanical and chemical process.
In mechanical digestion, food is physically broken down into smaller pieces. This begins in
the mouth, where the teeth chew food and the tongue helps in mixing it with saliva. The food
then travels down the food pipe to the stomach, where it is churned and mixed more.
In chemical digestion, special substances called enzymes break down the large molecules of
food into smaller ones. For example, complex carbohydrates are broken into simple sugars,
proteins into amino acids, and fats into fatty acids and glycerol. This chemical digestion
mainly takes place in the stomach and small intestine with the help of digestive juices from
the stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines.
Digestion is a type of catabolism, which means it is a process that breaks down large
substances into smaller ones. If digestion does not happen properly, our body cannot absorb
nutrients, which may lead to nutritional problems and digestive disorders like gas, acidity,
or constipation.
3.2 Absorption
Once the food is digested, the next important step is absorption. Absorption is the process of
taking the digested nutrients into the bloodstream from the digestive system. These nutrients
include carbohydrates (sugars), proteins (amino acids), fats (fatty acids), vitamins, and
minerals. These nutrients are used by the body for energy, growth, repair, and maintenance of
cells.
1. Passive absorption
2. Facilitated absorption
3. Active absorption
After absorption, nutrients are transported to different parts of the body through the
bloodstream. This helps in building tissues, producing energy, and maintaining body
functions.
Our body needs nutrients to stay alive, grow, and carry out all its daily tasks. After food is
digested and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream, they are utilized by the body in
different ways. These nutrients are grouped into:
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The body needs them in large
quantities because they give energy and help in body building and maintenance.
1. Carbohydrates:
o Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose.
o Glucose is the main source of quick energy for all body cells.
o It is used during activities like walking, thinking, and even sleeping.
o Extra glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, or in fat cells for
future energy use.
2. Proteins:
o Proteins are broken down into amino acids.
o These amino acids are used to build and repair tissues, such as muscles, skin,
and blood.
o Proteins are also used to make enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, which
help in digestion, growth, and immunity.
3. Fats:
o Fats are broken into fatty acids and glycerol.
o They are used to store energy, protect organs, and maintain body
temperature.
o Fats also help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
1. Vitamins:
o Vitamins support metabolism, immunity, vision, skin health, and healing.
o For example, Vitamin C helps in healing wounds and building strong immune
response.
o Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and build strong bones.
2. Minerals:
o Minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc help in several body
functions.
o Iron is used to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in blood.
o Calcium helps in bone strength and muscle function.
o Zinc supports immunity and wound healing.
Micronutrients also help in enzyme function, nerve signals, and maintaining fluid balance
in the body.
Biotechnology plays an important role in the modern food industry. It involves the use of
microorganisms (like bacteria, yeast, and fungi) to produce and improve food. In the food
processing sector, biotechnology helps in preserving food, enhancing its quality, and
producing value-added products like enzymes, flavors, vitamins, and food ingredients.
Food additives are substances added to food to improve its quality, taste, safety, and shelf
life. These are mainly used in processed foods and packaged products to make them more
attractive and longer-lasting.
Colours – to make food look more attractive (example: cake icing, candies).
Emulsifiers – to help mix oil and water together in products like mayonnaise.
Stabilizers and thickeners – to give food a smooth texture or thickness, such as in
yogurt or sauces.
Preservatives – to prevent food from spoiling quickly.
Sweeteners – to add sweetness without using too much sugar. Examples include
stevia and aspartame, which are much sweeter than regular sugar.
Some additives are created using microbial fermentation – this means using bacteria or
fungi to make useful substances. For example:
Bioflavors and biocolors are natural flavors and colors made using biotechnological
processes, often from microbes, plants, or animals. They are used to make food look good,
smell nice, and taste better.
These are very important in the food industry because they help:
Color additives can be natural or synthetic. Natural color sources include plants and
microorganisms. Synthetic colors are made in labs. Colors are used in foods like candies,
drinks, ice creams, bakery items, and desserts.
Flavors are also used to improve the taste or add special taste effects (like vanilla,
strawberry, mint, etc.) to products.
Type Function
Anti-caking agents Prevent ingredients from clumping together
Antioxidants Stop food from going bad due to oxidation
Artificial sweeteners Make food taste sweet with fewer calories
Emulsifiers Help mix oil and water (e.g., in dressings)
Food acids Maintain the right pH or acidity level
Colours Add or enhance natural color in food
Preservatives Keep food fresh and safe for longer periods
4.Microbial polysaccharides
Microbial polysaccharides are high molecular weight carbohydrates produced by
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae.
These polysaccharides include carbohydrates that are produced and accumulated
inside the cells such as glycogen where they function as energy and carbon reserves.
It produced by a wide variety of microorganisms are generally water-soluble gums
and possess novel and unique properties.
Due to their low cost, these biopolymers have emerged as new and industrially
important polymeric substances competing with natural gums obtained from marine
algae and higher plants.
Due to diversity in structure and physicochemical characteristics, microbial
polysaccharides have found a wide range of applications as emulsifiers, stabilizers,
binders, gelling agents, coagulants, and suspending agents in food industry.
The unique rheological properties of these biopolymers are attributable to their high
purity and regular structure which make them best suited for the food industry.
Polysaccharides of microbial origin are nontoxic, biodegradable, environment
friendly, and remain active at extreme temperature, pH, and salinity.
Due to superior properties, these are good alternatives to and may replace synthetic
and other natural water-soluble gums and may prove as novel polymers in the food
industry as thickening, suspending, and gelling agents.
Employing genetically modified microorganisms under controlled fermentation
conditions may result in the production of new exopolysaccharides having novel
superior properties, which may open up new areas of industrial applications
• Recombinant DNA is the method of joining two or more DNA molecules to create
a hybrid.
• The technology is made possible by two types of enzymes, restriction
endonucleases and ligase. A restriction endonuclease recognizes a specific sequence
of DNA and cuts within, or close to, that sequence.
• The enzymes which include the restriction enzymes help to cut, the polymerases
help to synthesize and the ligases- help to bind.
• The restriction enzymes used in recombinant DNA technology play a major role in
determining the location at which the desired gene is inserted into the vector
genome.
Nanomaterials are materials that contain very tiny particles (between 1 to 1000
nanometers in size).
These tiny particles can be found on the surface, inside, or in the structure of the
material.
Nanoparticles can act differently from bigger particles of the same material – they may
have new or better properties.
This also includes particles that are not made on purpose, but appear during production
and get added to products.
In food packaging, it’s important to use materials that block steam and gases from
getting inside the package.
In the past, the food industry used non-biodegradable plastic (made from petroleum).
Now, with a green and eco-friendly approach, scientists are studying nanomaterials for
better food packaging.
These materials help make packaging that is safer, stronger, and more protective for
food
In food packaging, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide are the most commonly used
nanoparticles.
Silicon dioxide is used as a food colorant, anticaking agent, and drying agent for
food preservation and packaging.
Nanoparticles are used in food colorings to improve their stability, solubility, and
color intensity.
Food coloring nanoparticles are made by reducing the size of color particles to the
nanoscale range, typically between 1 and 100 nanometers in diameter.
1.3 Metallic Nanomaterials
Metal and metal oxide nanomaterials can be used in food packaging to enable
antibacterial and antifungal properties of the packaging material.
Ag, Cu metals, zinc, copper, iron, and titanium oxides have typically been the main
nanoparticles used for this purpose.
Natural and edible biopolymers (including starch, chitosan, gelatin, and agar) are
used to protect food.
Chitosan is known to be non-toxic in nature and mechanically stable. However, it
has low moisture resistance.
Therefore, researchers have since improved this property by reinforcing it with
nanomaterials, termed as chitosan-based nanocomposite films.
Ithas been reported that silica aerogel incorporation to the food packaging polyvinyl
alcohol film exhibits an increased thermal stability and steam resistance for
chocolate packaging.
However, it has since been revealed that silica nanoparticles can be harmful to
human cells.
If the Company uses any substance with nanomaterials with particle size below 500
nm in its food or beverage products or packaging, it shall provide a statement on the
label specifying which nanomaterials are incorporated in the substance.
A nanomaterial is an engineered or manufactured material containing particles in
the nanoscale range (1-1000 nm) in one or more external dimension, or in an internal
or surface structure, or a material whose nanoscale particles have different properties
or functions than macro-scale particles of the same material.
This definition also applies to incidental nanoparticles, and those not intentionally
engineered, but that are manufactured by-products and incorporated in company
products.
Naturally-occurring organic nanoscale particles (e.g. milk proteins, essential
minerals) are not considered engineered or manufactured materials for this purpose.
The term “naturally occurring” excludes engineering or manufacturing processes
that reduce the size of materials, as well as naturally-occurring inorganic
nanomaterials, such as asbestos.
Aggregates and agglomerates of nanoparticles are considered to be nanostructured
substances.
We are worried that some food companies might use nanomaterials in their products
— like in food, ingredients, packaging, or surfaces that touch food — without fully
checking if they are safe for people or the environment.
This might happen by mistake because of problems in supply chains (the process of
getting ingredients and materials).
To protect people (like customers, workers, and scientists) and nature, we have made
some policy suggestions for food companies. These are rules we believe companies
should follow when using nanomaterials.
The company should have a clear public policy on its website about how it uses
nanomaterials in food, drinks, and packaging — whether in research or in actual products.
The policy should explain the size, shape, and amount of nanomaterials used.
It should also explain why the company is using nanomaterials — what effects or benefits
they want from them.
The policy must include a list of scientific studies that company experts used to check if
the nanomaterials are safe for health and the environment.
The company should set clear rules for suppliers, either banning nanomaterials or
requiring them to follow the company’s nanomaterial policy.
If the company uses nanoparticles smaller than 500 nanometers, it must say so on the
product label.
This information must be placed near the nutrition label so customers can see it easily.
The company should also list scientific proof of safety for these nanomaterials on its
website.
To protect factory workers, the company should follow safety steps to avoid their skin or
lungs being exposed to nanomaterials during production.
At each stage, or even within the stages, there are checkpoints to decide to continue
or stop the project.
This can be done through a Stage and Gate System like the example shown here or
it can be done in a modified system.
The principle is the same, though, to develop new products strategically and use time
and resources wisely
Typically, this Stage and Gate process works like a funnel. You may start with
12 to 15 ideas and then research and evaluate those ideas. Some ideas will get
discarded because you will find the product concept already exists.
Others will get discarded because the ingredients or processing will cost more
than what consumers are willing to pay (based on products in the relevant
category).
Some ideas will seem great, but will be too niche and will not have a large enough
target audience to be successful. Once the ideas have been narrowed down, the
best 3 to 5 ideas may be moved to the Formulation stage.
In this stage, the product will be made on a small scale and consumer testing will
be done to confirm interest.
Then products will go through the second gate to determine which products have
enough consumer interest to continue.
During the Processing stage, 2 to 3 products are scaled up on larger equipment.
This helps determine production costs and efficiency. Food safety and quality
testing also are done to determine how to produce a safe and consistent product.
Shelf-life testing is conducted at the end of the Processing stage to make sure the
product will remain at an acceptable and safe quality long enough for the product
to made, shipped, purchased, and consumed.
The third gate evaluates production, food safety, quality, and shelf life to decide
which products can actually be made efficiently and consistently.
The Commercialization stage includes work to get the product ready to sell on
the grocery store shelves. Typically this includes the final costing, additional
consumer sensory testing, and package design.
The final gate makes sure that no errors or significant drawbacks have been
missed before the product is launched.
Through the Stage and Gate process, 12 to 15 ideas may get narrowed down to 1
or 2 products.
The Stage and Gate process allows many ideas to be considered efficiently. The
more viable the idea, the more time and work is needed.
When an obstacle is found at a gate, no more time or resources are committed to
that idea.
Each company may work through the stages of product development a bit
differently depending on resources, timelines, and product types being
developed. In a product development course, a product is likely developed from
start to
finish, so more market, consumer, and product research will need to be done
during the ideation stage to catch significant drawbacks
3.2 Ideation
Often the most difficult part of product development is coming up with the initial
idea.
Many food products exist in the marketplace, so coming up with a new food product
that does not exist and consumers are interested in buying can be a challenge. It is
best to simply jump in and start generating ideas.
From there, concepts can be refined and narrowed down. Ideas can come from a
variety of sources.
Some ideas are for a brand-new product and some are for a line extension of an
existing product.
Once ideas have been generated, it is important to identify the target customer.
Trends are followed closely to determine what is new and upcoming. Trends often
spark ideas for new products.
Trends change over time, so it is difficult to list current examples, but convenience
products, comfort foods, and plant-based foods have been trending over the last few
years.
Some issues with ideation include regional vs. global preferences and market size
vs. target market.
Flavors that are commonly known and liked in the Midwest may not sell well in
other parts of the country.
Consumers outside of the Midwest may not like those flavors or may simply be
unfamiliar with the flavors.
If your target market is a small part of a product category and the product category
itself is small, there may not be a large enough market share for your product.
It also can be a challenge to realize that just because you like something, many
others
may not.
We tend to develop products we like, but sometimes you may have to develop a
product for a target audience that does not include you.
3.3 Formulation
Making the new product!
Procure ingredients and make them into a product on a small laboratory scale
Produce a “gold standard” of the new product
Possible issues
Sourcing ingredients and ingredient costs
Product shelf life (often not tested in formulation, but needs to be considered early
in
the process)
Can the product really be made on a large scale?
Avoid Patent and Copyright infringement
3.4 Processing
The formulated product process is “scaled up” to produce greater volumes
Often the process is “scaled up” more than once.
Pilot plant testing
Plant testing
There are always product changes with scale-up.
Quality & Proximate Analysis testing done to set specifications, determine food
safety
concerns, and estimate shelf life
Processing experiments and runs allow a more accurate product cost to be
determined
(include processing efficiency, rework used, etc.).
3.5 Commercialization
Once the new product has been made successfully, it is sent to commercialization to
launch the new product into the store for sale.
Steps include:
determining packaging
creating a label (logo, nutrition facts, etc.)
finalizing costs
developing advertising and/or literature for the product
3.5.1 After the launch of a new product:
Determine if the new product was successful.
Success can be measured by:
Growing interest, increase in sales
Market share
Company sales revenue
“Nutrition disorders” are health problems that happen when a person is not getting the
right amount of nutrients from food — either too little, too much, or the wrong mix.
Some types of fats in food — like saturated fats and trans fats — are not healthy for the
heart. Eating too much of these fats can:
Heart disease usually happens when the arteries that carry blood to your heart become
narrow. This narrowing of arteries is called atherosclerosis.
When you eat too much bad fat, fatty substances (called plaque) start building up
inside your artery walls.
These plaque deposits make the space inside your arteries smaller.
This means less blood and oxygen can reach your heart.
Over time, this can cause chest pain, heart attack, or other serious heart problems.
This condition can start when you're young, and you may not notice any signs early
on.
By the time you’re middle-aged, the problem may have become very serious.
That’s why it’s important to eat healthy, avoid too much fat, and stay active even
from a young age.
Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (like from nuts and olive
oil).
Avoid or limit fried food, packaged snacks, fast food, and items high in saturated
and trans fats.
Exercise regularly and keep your weight in a healthy range.
Drinking too much alcohol (more than two drinks per day) can lead to high blood pressure,
also known as hypertension.
People who follow a vegetarian diet—especially vegans, who don’t eat any animal products
like milk or eggs—often have lower blood pressure compared to people who eat meat. This
may be because they eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are good for the
heart.
Medicines for Hypertension and Nutrition
Many medicines are used to treat high blood pressure, but some can affect the body’s
nutrient balance.
One example is a medicine called thiazide diuretic. This type of medicine makes the body
lose potassium, which is an important mineral.
To replace the lost potassium, people may need to eat more foods that are rich in potassium,
like:
Bananas
Oranges and other citrus fruits
Green vegetables
Potatoes
But people should not use potassium-based salt substitutes without asking their doctor.
These can sometimes cause health problems if not used correctly.
problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition that happens when a person’s diet lacks protein,
even if they are getting enough calories.
It usually affects young children who stop breastfeeding and start eating a diet that is
low in protein.
The main cause is eating food that is rich in carbohydrates (like rice or maize) but
low in protein (like meat, milk, or legumes).
Signs and Symptoms of Kwashiorkor:
The child may look very thin overall, but the legs, feet, and belly appear swollen.
This swelling is due to fluid build-up (edema).
The skin may become cracked or patchy and hair may change color or fall out.
The child may be irritable, have low energy, and show signs of growth failure.
In severe cases, kwashiorkor can lead to death if not treated properly.
Treatment:
It happens when the body doesn’t get enough calories for a long period of time.
This leads to the breakdown of fat and muscle in the body to create energy.
The person looks extremely thin, with ribs and bones clearly visible.
There is severe weight loss and muscle wasting.
The skin may appear loose, and the child may look old for their age.
The child often suffers from weakness, tiredness, and stunted growth.
Their weight-for-height ratio is far below the normal standard, often 3 standard
deviations below the average.
Causes:
Treatment:
Treatment includes giving small, frequent meals that are rich in calories and
nutrients.
Medical help is also needed to treat dehydration, infections, and nutrient
deficiencies.
Gradual feeding with nutritional supplements helps the child to recover strength
and weight.
Glucose is the main source of energy for our body. It comes from the food we eat, especially
carbohydrates. After eating, a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas,
helps move glucose from the blood into the body’s cells for energy.
This leads to high levels of glucose in the blood, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
Types of Diabetes:
Although there are different types of diabetes, the two main ones are:
Type 1 Diabetes: The body does not make any insulin. It usually begins in
childhood or teenage years. People with this type need daily insulin injections.
Type 2 Diabetes: The body does not use insulin properly. It is more common in
adults and is linked to unhealthy lifestyle and obesity. It can often be managed with
diet, exercise, and medicines.
When people with diabetes don’t have access to proper food (called food insecurity), it
becomes harder to manage blood sugar levels. This can lead to:
Higher A1c levels (A1c is a test that shows average blood sugar levels over 3
months)
More chances of complications, like kidney problems, eye damage, and heart disease
Frequent hospital visits
Mental health problems, such as anxiety and stress
To manage diabetes well, it is very important to eat the right kind of food. A healthy diet for
diabetics should include:
Eating at the right time, in the right quantity, and not skipping meals is also very
important.
Preventive measures
Have healthy snacks like boiled eggs, peanut butter toast, dry fruits, or paneer that
give energy and improve nutrition.
Remedial measures
Build a Good Health System:
Exclusive breastfeeding should be done for the first 6 months of a baby’s life.
Continue breastfeeding until the child is at least 2 years old for better immunity and
nutrition.
Teach About Local Food Nutrition:
o Help people understand which local foods are healthy, rich in nutrients, and
affordable.
o Promote traditional and culturally accepted food options that are easy to find
and cook.
Break Harmful Beliefs:
o Correct wrong cultural beliefs and food taboos that stop people from eating
healthy.
o For example, some people avoid giving eggs or pulses to kids due to wrong
beliefs.
Proper Weaning and Supplementary Foods:
o Teach parents how to prepare healthy weaning foods (after 6 months of age)
using local ingredients like rice, dal, vegetables, eggs, etc.
Add High-Protein Foods:
o Include foods like milk, eggs, fish, meat, or pulses in the daily diet to
improve protein intake.
Eat During Illness:
o Encourage families to keep feeding children and adults during illness so
that they can recover faster and not become weak.
Grow a Kitchen Garden:
o Families can grow vegetables and fruits in their backyards or balconies to
have a fresh and cheap source of healthy food.
Keep Things Clean:
o Teach the importance of clean drinking water, handwashing, and toilet
hygiene to prevent infections.
Vaccinate Your Children:
o Give all vaccines (like polio, measles, etc.) on time to protect children from
dangerous diseases that can cause malnutrition.
Energy balance
Energy balance is achieved when input (i.e. dietary energy intake) is equal to output
(i.e. total energy expenditure), plus the energy cost of growth in childhood and
pregnancy, or the energy cost to produce milk during lactation.
When energy balance is maintained over a prolonged period, an individual is
considered to be in a steady state.
This can include short periods during which the day-to-day balance between intake
and expenditure does not occur.
An optimal steady state is achieved when energy intake compensates for total energy
expenditure and allows for adequate growth in children, and pregnancy and lactation
in women, without imposing metabolic, physiological or behavioural restrictions
that limit the full expression of a person’s biological, social and economic
potential.
Energy requirement means the amount of energy (from food) a person needs every
day to:
o Keep their body size and shape the same
o Stay active and healthy
o Support body growth and development
This energy helps with:
o Growth in children
o Tissue building during pregnancy
o Milk production during breastfeeding to keep both mother and baby healthy
The amount of energy needed depends on:
o Age, gender, height, weight
o Physical activity (how active the person is)
o Health status (whether the person is healthy or sick)
Experts calculate the average energy needs of healthy and well-nourished people
in a group (like children, adults, pregnant women).
This is called the Recommended Dietary Energy Intake.
These recommendations are meant to keep people healthy for a long time.
🔶 Special Situations:
In many developing countries (like India), some children may be underweight or get
sick often with diseases like diarrhea or cough.
For such children, special care is needed while deciding their energy needs.
This report considers these public health problems while giving suggestions.
📅 Daily Energy Requirements and Intake
When we say daily energy requirement, it means the average amount of energy
needed per day.
It doesn’t mean a person must eat exactly the same amount of energy every single
day.
Some days they may eat more, some days less — and that’s okay.
Experts often use a 7-day period to understand average eating and activity patterns.
This is because people eat and move differently on different days, like more food
on weekends or more walking during weekdays.
Scientists measure the energy use of many people with similar characteristics (age,
gender, height, weight, and activity level).
Then they calculate the average requirement for that group.
Yes, even if two people seem the same (same age, weight, etc.), they may still need
different amounts of energy.
This is because:
o Each person’s body works a bit differently
o Some may have faster metabolism, more muscle, or different routines
That’s why even with similar features, some variation in energy needs is natural.
If the exact food is not tested, we can use data from a similar food.
For example, if we don’t know the nutrients in rutabaga, we can use data from
turnip because both are root vegetables from the same plant family.
We should also consider:
o The part of the plant (leaf, stem, root)
o The color of the vegetable (green or orange) — because this affects vitamin A
or carotenoid levels.
✅ Example: Use turnip’s nutrients for rutabaga, but don’t use cabbage (a leaf) for a root
vegetable.
Sometimes we know the nutrient value for raw food, but not for the cooked version.
In this case, we estimate the nutrient in the cooked food by:
o Using cooking yield (how much food is left after cooking)
o And nutrient retention (how much of the nutrient remains after cooking)
✅ Example: We use data to find out how much Vitamin C is lost when spinach is boiled, and
calculate the rest.
For foods with many ingredients (like pizza or biryani), we add the nutrient values
of each ingredient.
If we have a full recipe (with quantities), we can accurately calculate the total
nutrients.
If it's a commercial food, we may only have the ingredient list (without quantities),
so the calculation may not be exact.
✅ Example: To find nutrition in vegetable pulao, add nutrients from rice, vegetables, oil, and
spices.
In many countries, food packages show nutrition labels (example: 100 kcal, 5g
protein).
If lab data is missing, we can use this label to estimate nutrients per 100g.
But be careful:
o Companies may round values (e.g., 4.8g becomes 5g)
o Labels follow different rules in each country
✅ Example: If a biscuit label says "150 kcal per serving," we can use this to estimate calories
in 100g.
Some foods are fortified (extra nutrients added), like Vitamin D in milk or iron in
cereals.
If we don’t have lab results, we use standards set by the government to guess the
amount added.
In the U.S., the FDA gives minimum and maximum values in official documents.
✅ Example: If enriched macaroni must have 4–5 mg of thiamin per pound, and we don’t
know the exact value, we can assume the average (4.5 mg).
If the law says a nutrient is "optional", we need to know what is commonly done in
that country or industry.
A healthy diet is very important for staying well and feeling good. It helps protect us from
many long-term diseases such as:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Cancer
High blood pressure
Grow properly
Stay active and strong
Fight diseases
Maintain proper weight
Keep organs working well (like heart, brain, liver)
If you want to lose weight, eat fewer calories and increase physical activity.
Calories in (from food) should match calories out (used during exercise, daily work).
Walking, dancing, cycling, yoga – are good ways to stay active.
What counts as a genetically modified organism (GMO) is not the same everywhere.
Different countries and groups have different rules, and these rules have changed over time.
For example, the EU doesn't count "mutation breeding" as GMO.
There's also a lot of confusion with labels like "Non-GMO" or "GMO-free" on food. Some
things like water or salt, which don’t even have genes to modify, still get these labels to make
them seem healthier — even though it doesn’t really make sense.
· Transgenic organisms (living things with changed DNA) have been used in science for a
long time. They helped scientists prove that DNA carries genetic information and that some
genes (called oncogenes) can cause cancer.
· There’s a risk of gene mixing ("outcrossing"), where GMO plant genes can mix with wild
plants or other crops. This can:
· The biggest danger from these GMOs may come from the new proteins or chemicals
they make. These might be harmful to people either directly or after changing inside the
body.
Genetically Modified (GM) foods are controlled by government agencies to make sure they
are safe for people, animals, and the environment. These agencies perform strict checks
before GM foods are allowed in the market.
Together, these three agencies make sure GM foods are safe to eat, safe to grow, and safe
for the environment.
In India, several organizations are responsible for the safety and control of GM foods:
Genetically Modified (GM) crops and food products have been a topic of concern for many
people, especially when it comes to human health. Different GM foods are made using
different genes and techniques. So, it is important to check the safety of each GM food
individually before allowing it in any country.
Every country must do its own risk assessment before deciding whether to allow or ban a
GM food product. The way people eat and their health conditions are different in every place,
so safety checks should be done according to the local population and environment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) have created a set of safety rules called the Codex Alimentarius. These rules help in
testing GM foods to make sure they are safe to eat.
1. Toxicity Tests
o Check whether the GM food causes harm in the short term or long term (acute,
sub-chronic, or chronic).
2. Allergy Risk (Allergenicity)
o Check if the GM food can cause allergic reactions due to new proteins or by
mixing with other allergens.
3. Nutritional Comparison
o Compare the nutrients in GM foods with regular foods to ensure there is no
loss or harmful change.
4. Changes in Nutritional Value
o See if the added gene changes the crop's DNA in a way that affects the
nutrients.
5. Stability of the Gene
o Make sure the added gene does not move into human cells or gut bacteria.
This is important if antibiotic-resistant genes are used.
6. Unwanted Changes
o Sometimes the added gene may cause unknown or harmful changes in the
plant's metabolism. These effects must be studied.
In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published guidelines for
checking the safety of GM foods. These were released in 2008 and updated in 2012. The
rules are based on the international Codex guidelines.
A Parliamentary Committee Report in 2017 found several problems related to the safety of
GM crops in India:
There has been no Indian study on how GM crops affect human health.
Long-term health effects are not studied yet.
The Department of Health Research has not taken steps to study GM health effects.
The government is depending only on foreign studies, which may not match Indian
conditions like climate, food habits, and health.
The report suggested that the government should reconsider allowing GM crops
until proper Indian studies are done.
It also said that FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is late in
labeling GM foods.
o The committee strongly recommended that labelling GM foods should begin
immediately, so people know what they are eating.